Last Call

John Esler entrepreneur and philanthropist

John Esler is the Founding Committee chair of EforAll’s new Greater Worcester program. EforAll is dedicated to helping under-represented individuals successfully start their own businesses. EforAll works to foster and accelerate social and economic impact through inclusive entrepreneurship in the community.

What is your connection to Central Mass.?

I grew up and Albany, New York, came to the Boston area in 1996 to get my MBA at Babson, and have been a resident of Sutton for 22 years. The business I started in 2004, Esler Companies dba Renewal by Andersen Windows, is located in Northboro.

Can you describe your career trajectory?

I am a lifelong entrepreneur who believes doing the right thing, in the long run, is always the most profitable thing. As a youth with a paper route and caddying at a local golf course, I discovered an appetite for working for myself. Engaging others to work with me began during the summer months through my college years, selling souvenirs at Saratoga Springs horse racetrack in upstate New York. Other entrepreneurial ventures include owning Subway franchises and a Betterliving Sunroom dealership before establishing Esler Companies, Renewal by Andersen’s largest national affiliate, in 2004. While leading Esler Companies, I focused attention on structuring the organization around its core value of love, and to be a business in service first to teammates, second to customers, and third to the community. I am especially proud of establishing the company’s philanthropic arm, Window of Giving, which enables team members to give back to those in need within the communities where they live and do business. Upon retiring from Esler Companies, my wife, Jeanne, and I established the Esler Family Foundation to support local, national and global organizations that advance educational and wellness opportunities for youth. Philanthropic pursuits also include Babson College, Worcester State University, The Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Strong Minds and Young Life, and EforAll. My passion for entrepreneurship is now channeled to mentoring others as a member of the Center for Entrepreneurship Advisory Board at Worcester State University, as chair of an effort to bring EforAll to Worcester, and with business students at Babson College, where I earned my MBA. Lately, I have been focusing on how best to meet the postCOVID, racially aware needs of Worcester, when Barry Maloney induced me to EforAll just three months ago. I believe entrepreneurship is one of the bedrocks on which Worcester’s future should be built, and I loved what EforAll was accomplishing so much that I committed to lead the effort to bring EforAll to Greater Worcester. EforAll, which stands for “Entrepreneurship for All,” is a nonprofit organization based in Massachusetts that provides mentoring and support to budding entrepreneurs in under-resourced communities. EforAll is currently in seven Massachusetts cities, and I’m spearheading the effort to bring it to Worcester. Since inception 10 years ago, EforAll has a strong foundation of success, having

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trained entrepreneurs who have launched over 500 businesses, with over 70% in business with 75% women-owned, 56% people of color, 53% previously employed and 54% immigrant-owned. In 2020 EforAll will launch 270 new

How did you become invested in EforAll?

businesses.

Briefly describe the organization’s goals and objectives for Worcester.

Our goal is to provide individuals with the support system and tools to start a successful business or nonprofit — leading to new jobs and a more vibrant local economy. EforAll is excited to partner with Worcester’s strong network of community leaders, small business owners and neighbors to help under-represented individuals launch and grow businesses and nonprofits while fostering a community-wide spirit of entrepreneurship.

Has your model proven effective in other cities?

EforAll has already successfully replicated its model in eight locations across Massachusetts including Berkshire County, Cape Cod, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, South Coast and Roxbury. Through 2019, participants in our business accelerators have started 500 businesses, with an additional 130 entrepreneurs/ business owners expected to go through the program in 2020. These businesses have created 720 local jobs to date, generated over $25 million in revenue in 2019, and raised nearly $35 million in capital. And EforAll is growing outside the state, with its first site in Colorado launching in 2019. It also recently expanded its Spanish-language program (EparaTodos) in communities with a high percentage of Spanish-speaking residents.

What are some of the challenges COVID has posed for your rollout?

EforAll has been able to move its Business Accelerator programs and local Pitch Contests online during COVID without any meaningful disruption to the entrepreneurs we serve. While it has been disappointing not to be able to meet the community leaders and organizations championing our cause here in Worcester in person, we remain on track with fundraising and launch timing despite the COVID restrictions.

How can the community get involved?

There are so many ways that individuals and organizations can get involved with EforAll Greater Worcester. We are currently looking to hire a local executive director and program manager, who will then begin actively recruiting for aspiring entrepreneurs and volunteers who may want to become a mentor, read applications, or teach a class. And as the Founding Committee chair, I would be remiss if I didn’t say that while we are close to our fundraising goal, we are still interested in talking with any individuals or organizations that may want to make a financial contribution to help us launch EforAll Greater Worcester and its partner organization, a peer-to-peer program called Entrepreneurs Forever (eforever) in which small business owners and entrepreneurs meet monthly to share their business experiences and learn from one another under the guidance of a trained facilitator, helping to ensure long-term success.